December 2018 Minute Message

Fellow Federationists:

Happy holidays!

As we close out 2018, I have been reflecting on how much we have accomplished this year. I'm excited about all our activities in 2019, and I have no doubt it will be our busiest and most successful year yet. I have also been reflecting on how the Federation is more than a group of individuals with a common goal. We are a family in every sense of the word.

We push one another to reach farther, aim higher, and dig deeper. With such a support system, each of us is that much more likely to turn our dreams into reality. But what strikes me most about our family is the strength of our love for one another. That is what makes us truly unique as an organization.

Participants Needed for the National Braille Readers are Leaders Contest

It's not too late to enter your children in our National Braille Readers are Leaders contest (BRAL)! This is a good opportunity to encourage braille reading. This contest is different than the Braille Challenge, because you do all of it at home. However it is good preparation for the Braille challenge that will occur on February 9, 2019. In addition to the National prizes for the BRAL Contest, we will have some prizes and recognition for all Maryland participants. See below information and sign up quickly!!

* For each student who enters, a certifying official (parent, teacher,

etc.) must fill out and submit a registration form. Registration forms can be submitted as late as January 19, 2019.

* Kids enter in one of five grade categories: K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, &

9-12.

* Participants record Braille pages read in the weeks between December

1, 2018 and January 19, 2019 on a reading log.

* The certifying official must submit the completed reading log form

by February 2, 2019.

* Prizes in each grade category are: first, $25; second, $15; third,

$10.

* Every contestant, whether a winner or not, will receive a "goodie

bag" containing Braille-related items at the end of the contest.

the Kelly Doty Award is …

In addition to awards in the five grade categories, the Kelly Doty Award is given to a student who has met unusual challenges in order to learn and read Braille. Such challenges include, but are not limited to, having other disabilities in addition to blindness or being an English language learner.

Win Prizes for Reading - and Support the Library at the Same Time!

Want to earn prizes for reading? Want to help your library compete for a

$35,000 cash prize? The Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) is participating in the second annual reading challenge, which takes place between January 1 and 31, 2019. Sponsored by Mark Cuban, of Shark Tank Fame, top performing libraries could receive a cash prize of up to $35,000! Think of what that could do for the community - and how many Braille books Maryland LBPH could acquire and audiobooks they could produce and duplicate. Our library has set a goal of 50,000 minutes, which is 833.3 hours. This breaks down to about 84 ten-hour audiobooks for BARD and cartridge users. Many of you are already avid readers, so you can be entered to win prizes for something you already do. And those who aren't, well, in honor of Louis Braille's birthday month, perhaps you could spare some time for a good book.

NFB RideShare Testing Program

We still need your help. If you use a service animal or are accompanying someone who does, please fill out a short form about your experience each time you use Uber or Lyft. In Maryland, we have to complete a certain number of surveys each year, and we're not there yet for 2018. You can submit a survey for every trip you took in 2018, so please look back at your ride history and do this if you haven't already done so. Please go to <https://nfb.org/rideshare-test>https://nfb.org/rideshare-test or use the NFB Connect app (instructions below) to complete the survey. Please give us information about both good and bad experiences. Spread the word, we need information from every blind person whether they are a member of NFB or not.

2. After double tapping on menu, at the top left corner of the screen,

you will see Home.

3. Swipe to the right once and you will see Fast Facts. Double tap Fast

Facts.

4. You will swipe right until you see, Rideshare Survey. Double tap

Rideshare Survey.

5. Lastly, swipe to the right. When you see First Name, this is where

the form begins and this is where you put in the information for the survey.

Baltimore Scooter Program Survey

You may have noticed that there are a significant number of dockless scooters on the streets and sidewalks of Baltimore. NFBMD and the Greater Baltimore Chapter have been working on providing input and feedback to the Baltimore Department of Transportation regarding how the Baltimore dockless scooter pilot program, which is scheduled to end in late February, impacts the blind. We have shared recommendations related to: 1) establishing and enforcing specific requirements for safe riding (not on sidewalks) and parking (in appropriate locations that do not obstruct building/business entry and egress, curb cuts, public transportation stops, and sidewalks hindering pedestrian traffic); 2) improving accessibility of apps used by the scooter companies and expanding access to those who need to report improper usage/parking; 3) enhancing and improving communication and training related to these programs; 4) implementing a minimum sound standard for moving and tipped scooters consistent with the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act; and 5) ensuring that individuals who violate the rules related to riding/parking are penalized in order to deter this behavior.

The Baltimore Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the scooter pilot program and has launched a survey. This is a Google docs survey, and thus though it is accessible with most screen readers, it may be finicky. Thus, if you have difficulty with the survey, please contact Rachel Olivero at Rachel@olivero.us <mailto:Rachel@olivero.us> for assistance. The survey is located at:

NFB and NFBMD Scholarship Programs

The National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland each administer a separate scholarship program for post-secondary students. The deadline to apply for an NFB scholarship is March 31, 2019, and the deadline to apply for an NFBMD Scholarship is April 15, 2019.

NFB of MD State Scholarship Program:

McCraw Scholarship to two students in the amounts of $2,000 and $1,500 each.

NFBMD may award a third scholarship to a former McCraw scholarship recipient.

- Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and

community involvement.

- Application materials must be submitted (online or postmarked) by

11:59PM on April 15, 2019.

- To be eligible, applicants must:

o Be legally blind in both eyes;

o Be a legal resident of Maryland or be pursuing post-secondary studies at

a school in Maryland;

o Be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of

study in a degree program in the Fall of 2019; and

o Attend the entire National Convention of the National Federation of the

Blind in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 7 through 12, 2019 and the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland from November 8 - 10, 2019 (scholarship finalists will receive convention assistance).

Do you feel lucky?

The NFBMD spring raffle is underway. During the month of May, you have the opportunity to win $50 Sunday through Friday, or $100 on Saturday. Purchase a 3-digit number raffle ticket for $5. You will be the only one who has this number. Between now and February 10, you may request a specific number from Melissa Riccobono and pay the $5. You might want to request your birthday, your anniversary, or some other significant number. After February 10, tickets will be available from chapter presidents and you will not necessarily be able to get the specific number you want. If you want to buy or sell tickets, please <mailto:melissa@riccobono.us> contact Melissa Riccobono by email. Help us sell all 1,000 tickets!

Seasons Greetings

Best Wishes for a holiday season filled with relaxation and fun. May this season of hope renew your spirit so that your dreams may become a reality in 2019.